Ball python hide

[Steve131]

Hi all I'm Steve and new here this is my first post and just wanted to say hi and also to ask for some opinions. I have a baby ball python about 6 to 8 month old I'm guessing but I'm probably well off the mark he's about 260grams a great eater has always taken food no problem apart from this week but I did buy him a new hide today and he refuses to use it I've tried him on other ones last week but won't use them he only wants to use his old one which is too big and has already scared his back from damaging it on the bottom of his favourite hide I tried putting paper towels to make it more safe but I was wondering if I should jut let him have his beloved cave back and just keep renewing the paper towels or try to persist with his new hide that he doesn't use and hope he starts eating he is just hiding under his newspaper on the cool side which might be why he's not eating as he is only getting 78f what's your opinions on the matter? Let him have his hide back or keep trying for the new one?
Thanks for your time and I look forward to what you all have to say
Steve

[Steve131]

Sorry I said how is too big i meant too small for him he has out grown it i think

[the_rotten1]

Ball pythons usually like their hides as tight around them as possible, to the point where they prefer wearing them as hats over going into a bigger hide. Just let your snake use what he likes. They scuff up their scales a bit sometimes, but that's normal and it should go away with the next shed. It's better than letting him skip meals because he doesn't feel secure in the bigger hide.

[Steve131]

Thank you very much the_rotten1 that's very helpful I felt really bad for getting him a hide that's too small and he hurts himself but then I felt really bad that he didn't want to use his new one but now I know they like small spaces I can relax I've put his hide back and he went straight in there thank you for your help it's been a very long time since I've kept snakes it's like starting from the beginning again
Thanks
Steve

[MmmBanana]

Have you considered a plastic hide? I just ordered some plastic hide boxes from reptile basics. They don't look like anything fancy, but they're all smooth and I don't think a snake could hurt himself in any way on one. Also, there are a handful of different sizes, so I am sure you could find one to suite your snake!

[Steve131]

Hi sorry for late response I couldn't get onto my account yes I've tried the plastic ones and they are great but he just doesn't like them he appears to be a bit of a little diva and only wants his original cave so I've put it back and he's happy again but I have just ordered him a new Viv as he is way too big for it I only bought it as an emergency as the one I bought for him originally was well a wreck my fault for going preloved but that arrives today at some point I hope because a 1.8 foot by 1 foot just isn't going to cut it anymore he's grown a lot faster than I anticipated I just hope he is happy with his new Viv and he isn't going to be grumpy about me taking his old Viv like he was when I took his cave away but again thank you all for your help it is nice to know there are experienced people out there to ask for help